The Road to Glory
We're down to the final two teams in the 2024 College World Series, and soon, a new college baseball champion will be crowned. Tennessee managed to fend off a wild comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, tying the series 1-1 and setting the stage for a do-or-die game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies initially surged ahead thanks to a Jace LaViolette home run. However, the Volunteers responded with four unanswered runs, securing a 4-1 victory for Tennessee. This score held steady, despite Texas A&M's valiant ninth-inning threat.
The College World Series commenced last week with eight teams, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have all been eliminated. Intriguingly, neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship, adding an extra layer of excitement to this thrilling finale.
Tennessee is in the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while Texas A&M is making its inaugural Finals appearance.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore, a projected first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft, has been a centerpiece of Tennessee's offense throughout the season. Moore made history by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history during the Volunteers' CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the other side, the Aggies have reached the Finals despite missing their top hitter. Braden Montgomery, a potential top-10 draft pick, has been sidelined during the CWS due to a leg injury sustained earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
As we look toward the climactic showdown, the big question remains: who will emerge victorious this year?
Here's the schedule and everything else you need to know about the College World Series Finals:
College World Series Finals Schedule
- Saturday, June 22 - Finals, Game 1: Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5
- Sunday, June 23 - Finals, Game 2: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
- Monday, June 24 - Finals, Game 3: Texas A&M vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Each game is available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The series thus far has been packed with nail-biting finishes and extraordinary performances. On Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11.
The excitement continued the next day, with Kentucky clinching a victory over NC State after ten thrilling innings, ending 5-4. Texas A&M also managed a narrow 3-2 win against Florida.
As the series progressed, the intensity only ramped up. On June 16, Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 victory and then followed it up with a solid 6-1 win against North Carolina.
By June 19, several teams faced elimination. Florida State ousted North Carolina with a 9-5 win, and Tennessee sent Florida State packing with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The path to the College World Series Finals was paved with riveting matches during the Super Regionals. Highlights include Florida State’s dominant 24-4 win over UConn and Tennessee’s gritty 11-6 victory against Evansville.
North Carolina took down West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia overcame Kansas State 7-4. Texas A&M had a strong showing with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, striving to prove their mettle every step of the way.
The Super Regionals featured several do-or-die moments and incredible comebacks, exemplified by Georgia’s 11-2 win over NC State and North Carolina’s nail-biting 2-1 win against West Virginia.
Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, securing their spot in the finals despite their eventual elimination.
The Final Showdown
As we head into the final game, every factor will play a crucial role, from pitching and batting to maintaining composure under immense pressure.
With neither team having won a national championship before, the stakes could not be higher. The anticipation and excitement surrounding this final showdown are palpable. Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have shown remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point. Come Monday, one will emerge as the new champion of college baseball.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the 2024 College World Series.